MINNEAPOLIS -- Against the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night, Hornets forward Julian Wright shook off some rust.

Wright, who is in his second year in the NBA, has played sparingly the past month. But with three Hornets out injured, he got his chance and showed versatility.

In the 102-92 win over New Jersey at the New Orleans Arena, Wright showed off his ball-handling skills, his quickness and ability to beat defenders off the dribble. And, for good measure, he made an over-the-shoulder flip shot just before halftime.

In the second quarter, he made four of six shots, scored eight points -- matching Chris Paul -- and finished with a season-high 11.

Now the question is whether he can provide the same performance tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-27). Under Coach Kevin McHale, the Timberwolves have won seven of their past 10 games, but they are 6-13 at Target Center.

"I'm always going to be patient with him," Scott said, referring to Wright. "But I expect for him to not make mental mistakes from the defensive end that he makes. Turnovers and things like that, I can live with because that's from effort. But defensive lapses, especially right now, we can't live with."

Scott might have to live with it. With backup center Hilton Armstrong questionable to play with a sore left knee and starters Tyson Chandler (sprained left ankle) and David West (back spasms) out, the Hornets are going to need backups such as Wright -- who has averaged 9.2 minutes and 3.2 points this season -- to play quality minutes.

Wright's opportunity for extended minutes Wednesday came because the Hornets' lineup and player rotation were depleted because of the injuries. .

"I played the whole second quarter, and that was a shock," Wright said. "It's good to go out there and help the team. Offensively, I feel shots will come if I give effort and am in the right place at the right time.

"But defensively, that's the one thing for me is to lock in and make sure I understand what I need to do, because I find myself guarding three or four guys throughout the course of the game."

It's those mistakes or "lapses" that kept Wright on the inactive list for nine consecutive games before he played the final minute in a 92-78 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 16.

Last month, Scott said Wright had regressed since last season, when he earned a spot in the rotation as rookie and was one of the key contributors off the bench in the final weeks of the regular season and in the playoffs. To get back into the coach's good graces, Wright has focused on improving his overall play.

"He's gone from not playing to almost playing 30 minutes," Paul said after Wednesday's game. "I thought he played well."

Melvin Ely, who will start for the second consecutive game in place of Chandler, said Wright played his role against the Nets and appears to be eager to make an impact.

"He was great, and that's what we need, because everybody has to step up," Ely said. "Everybody right now has to go outside the box and give all they can until we can get our guys back. We have to go all-out and be ready."

"I just want to play," Wright said. "I'm not looking at minutes, but hopefully I will be called upon in this road game.

"I am just trying to stay focused, because it's easy for your thoughts to wonder and think about so many other things than getting better and improving. What has pushed me through is having a positive mindset."